Direct Democracy Public decisions are made DIRECTLY by citizens meeting together in an assembly or voting by ballot Athens (around 500 BCE)

Direct Democracy Advantages People feel a part of government Disadvantages Works with small groups or simple problems People can be misinformed, unintelligent Tyranny of the majority at expense of minority

Examples of Direct Democracy Recall: When voters can remove an elected official from office Initiative: Citizens place proposed laws or state amendments on ballot for voter approval or rejection. Referendum: Voters approve or reject new or existing laws or amendments

Republic Government in which supreme power rests with the citizens and is exercised by their elected representatives Also known as indirect democracy representative democracy Developed in Rome around 500 BCE

Republic Advantages: Elected officials tend to be more knowledgeable about government, issues, and how to get things done. more likely to compromise. Disadvantages Focus on short-term problems Conflict between national and local interests

Examples of Indirect Democracy

Presidential Democracy A political system where voters chose a president to lead the government as the head of the executive branch. Select a president as head executive Citizens Select separate lawmakers (Senators and Representatives)

Presidential Democracy Advantages Divides power between legislative and executive branches Allows each branch to check or limit the power of the other Disadvantage Set term for president – hard to get rid of Can lead to gridlock – nothing getting done! President from one political party, Congress the other

Parliamentary Democracy A system of government in which voters elect lawmakers to represent them; the lawmakers then select a prime minister to be the head executive. Elect

Parliamentary Democracy Advantages Avoids conflict (Prime Minister and majority of parliament from same party) Can easily replace the PM Disadvantages No check or limit on power of Prime Minister from another branch of government Legitimacy problems for PM

Review Direct Democracy Republic Recall Initiative Referendum Parliamentary Democracy Presidential Democracy

Meaning and examples We the people Form a more perfect union Establish Justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Do you know... Government Preamble Federal system Confederal system Unitary System Monarchy Theocracy Oligarchy Totalitarianism Democracy

Which one of the following best describes your parent(s)? Why? Be able to share examples!!! Monarchy Dictatorship / Totalitarianism Oligarchy Theocracy Democracy